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Principal challenges senators to experience school first-hand
I've spent my week trekking around the island, seeing first-hand what irregularities and shortcomings let certain schools be listed as the bottom of the barrel. In all, 10 public campuses were listed on the Worst Schools on Guam list, and with Southern High School having gotten off it, we've shown you what the remaining programs are doing to lift the very embarrassing designation. I headed back up to Yigo for the last school - D.L. Perez Elementary.
The school was first built in the 1960s and has seen its share of wear and tear. Principal Elizabeth Hanzsek says because the buildings are old, it's been hard to keep up. In fact, many work requests have been made to fix electrical issues and air conditioners. Of the many work requests being turned into the central office, problems in the restrooms have yet to be addressed. "This is just this year. Since August 2007 and today is April 4, 2008. This is plumbing, this is plumbing alone," she said.
Like the other schools, D.L. Perez lacks soap, paper towels and toilet paper dispensers. In addition, the school needs to have at least five sinks and four toilets repaired. As for the number of water fountains, principal Hanzsek says they need two but they are still waiting for them to be delivered. She said, "I was informed that they are coming in. I've been informed since August of last year that they're coming in. Maybe it's being shipped on a ship because it's still not here and I'm going to offend somebody again. So I don't know where is it? I can honestly say I don't know where it's at."
Meanwhile, the classrooms remain hot. In fact, of the 53 classrooms, 30 don't have operable units. The cafeteria also hasn't had cold A/C for a year and a half.
As for what's being done so far to keep the school safe and sanitary, Hanzsek says the school has implemented a monitoring system for the restrooms and a fire watch due to the lack of working fire alarms. With the many problems plaguing the school, she challenges lawmakers to see what's really going on. She said, "I invite the senators and anybody controlling the money to come into the school campus to sit and have a day. Have a day in our campus. You drink from that water fountain, or eat in the cafeteria that is hot, come and do it! They won't do it. It's all politics!"
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